Allegheny Mountain Region,
MD (February 2002) - The Neff Run Phase I project
- a Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
(Rivers & Trails) project - demonstrates
the benefits of a multi-objective approach stream
restoration. Over 40 rock vane weirs were installed,
fish blockages were removed, stream banks were
stabilized and riparian areas enhanced with
vegetative plantings, and fencing was installed
on an adjacent farm to keep cattle out of the
stream. The damaging effects of acid mine drainage
(AMD) are being mitigated through a combination
of limestone dumpings, and the construction
of a limestone leachbed to treat AMD before
it enters the stream.

The initiative includes on-the-ground
restoration activities, community outreach and
educational components. Rivers & Trails
coordinated development of the Neff Run Watershed
Restoration Plan, completed in March 2000, which
is providing overall guidance for the restoration
activities.

Water quality and wildlife habitat
improved through new riparian forest buffer: Upper
Rappahannock watershed, VA (June 5, 2000)-Over
the last two years the Friends of the Rappahannock
River (FOR) have completed a series of streambank
restoration projects to improve water quality
and wildlife habitat within the upper Rappahannock
watershed. This summer FOR completed the last
of the major projects they have scheduled. To
date, FOR has planted approximately 3 miles of
forested buffer along tributaries to the Rappahannock,
totaling close to 10 acres of new riparian forest.
Almost a half-mile of actual streambank restoration,
using soil bioengineering techniques, was completed
in conjunction with these projects. These projects
were undertaken exclusively on private lands.
A total of $75,000 in federal, state and private
funds were raised to complete the projects. State
and local partners volunteered the use of heavy
equipment, while dozens of FOR members provided
the hand labor. RTCA assisted FOR in the public
involvement that was necessary to gain approval
by local landowners to conduct the projects on
their property. Public involvement included the
completion of a reduced impact guide, "Growing
Greener in Your Rappahannock River Watershed,"
and the establishment of a "citizen network"
in the upper watershed area. For more information,
please contact: Chuck Barscz, Rivers & Trails
Program, Philadelphia, PA, 215-597-6482.